14 Creating your own boot and installation media

This chapter explains how to create custom HP-UX boot and installation media.

Installation media can be a tape or DVD containing:

•A golden archive

•A recovery archive

•A software depot

•A golden or recovery archive, plus a software depot

NOTE: It is possible to create a bootable USB flash drive that works with Integrity systems. See the Ignite-UX USB Memory Stick Boot white paper, available at http://www.hp.com/go/ ignite-ux-docs.

All installation media are bootable. To create installation media, you need a basic knowledge of Ignite-UX functionality.

Why use custom boot and installation media?

You might want to build boot or custom installation media if:

•You have to recover systems that cannot boot from a recovery tape or the network, so boot media is required for the two-step media recovery process.

•You have a large number of systems that are basically identical, and the networking does not allow easy or fast access to an Ignite-UX server, perhaps due to dispersed geography or for security reasons. For common configuration installation solutions, use a golden image. Golden image creation is described in Chapter 11 (page 151).

•You want a disaster recovery image of a system. For system-specific recovery solutions, you must use a recovery image. Recovery image creation is described in Chapter 15: “Recovery” (page 191).

Building PA-RISC boot and installation tape

This section describes building a tape for just booting, or for boot and installation on PA-RISC systems. This functionality is not supported on Itanium-based systems, although you can utilize “Tape recovery with no tape boot support — two-step media recovery” (page 217).

IMPORTANT: The media and data format (density and compression) of the installation tape you create must be compatible with the tape devices of client systems on which it will be read. You must consider writing the tape using a device special file (DSF) that selects the most compatible data format settings.

Possible tape contents

A PA-RISC tape may consist of

•Just a LIF volume.

•A LIF volume followed by one or more archives (A1, A2, A3, ...).

•A LIF volume followed by an optional archive (A1, or Empty), a serial depot (D), and zero or more additional archives (A2, ...).

By far, the most common configuration is a LIF volume followed by one archive. The archive can be a golden archive or a recovery archive depending on the purpose of the media.

The high-level structures of possible PA-RISC installation tape layouts are shown below.

180 Creating your own boot and installation media

Page 179 Page 181
Page 180
Image 180
HP UX System Management Software manual Creating your own boot and installation media, Possible tape contents
Page 179 Page 181

UX System Management Software specifications

HP-UX System Management Software is a robust suite of tools designed to facilitate the administration and management of HP's Unix-based operating system, HP-UX. As organizations increasingly rely on mission-critical applications, the need for a reliable and efficient management solution becomes paramount. HP-UX provides a comprehensive understanding of system performance, resource utilization, and enterprise-wide configuration, all while maintaining high availability and security.

One of the key features of HP-UX System Management Software is its Advanced System Administrator Toolkit. This toolkit includes a wide array of utilities that streamline daily administrative tasks such as monitoring system performance, managing user accounts, and configuring system settings. Tools such as Glance provide real-time monitoring of system resources, enabling administrators to identify bottlenecks and optimize performance.

The software also boasts an advanced security framework, including features such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Secure Shell (SSH) for secure data transmission. Security patches and updates can be managed through HP’s Service Pack for HP-UX, which provides a streamlined method for maintaining system integrity and compliance with various regulatory standards.

Another notable aspect is the extensive support for virtualization technologies. HP-UX supports HP’s Integrity Virtual Machines (IVMs) and vPars, allowing administrators to create multiple isolated environments on a single physical server. This not only enhances resource utilization but also improves disaster recovery planning by enabling easier backup and restore processes.

For storage management, HP-UX offers tools that enable easy setup and management of Logical Volume Managers (LVM). This allows simplified disk space allocation and management, ensuring that critical applications have the necessary resources without manual intervention.

Furthermore, HP-UX is designed with compatibility in mind, supporting a wide range of third-party applications and frameworks. Integration with management platforms like HP System Insight Manager enhances the ability to monitor and manage systems from a centralized perspective, providing alerts and reports that help in proactive decision-making.

In summary, HP-UX System Management Software delivers a streamlined approach to system administration, focusing on performance, security, and ease of management. Its advanced features, combined with an emphasis on virtualization and storage management, make it a powerful tool for organizations seeking reliability and efficiency in their Unix-based environments. As businesses continue to evolve, tools like HP-UX will remain crucial for ensuring consistent performance and operational excellence.
Top Page Image Contents